RANK #313 / 996 · POP 63,475 · AR
PROJECTED GROWTH: +1.5%
Mount Nebo State Park, Arkansas's second oldest state park, offers a distinctive draw to Pope County, featuring 32.6 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails and panoramic views of the Arkansas River Valley. Located in west-central Arkansas, Russellville, the county seat, sits roughly halfway between Little Rock and Fort Smith. The community provides access to Lake Dardanelle, a 34,300-acre reservoir on the Arkansas River, known for fishing and boating. The northern portion of the county is largely covered by the Ozark National Forest, contributing to the area's natural amenities and outdoor recreation opportunities. Pope County offers a lifestyle that blends outdoor access with community amenities. The county is home to Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, which contributes to the local economy and cultural landscape. The public schools in Pope County are rated above average. Major employers include Arkansas Nuclear One, the state's only nuclear power plant, and Arkansas Tech University. Recent economic developments include discussions around a proposed casino, which has generated both support and controversy regarding its potential impact on jobs and tourism.
Above national median
Above national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks undervalued at 3.0x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Pope County has a Boom Town Index score of 69/100, ranking #313 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +0.1% and a median household income of $51,678, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Pope County is $152,000 with median rent at $810/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.34, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.4% year-over-year. Job growth: +0.1%. Home values changed +1.6% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 5.56% of Pope County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.